Students’ Perceptions on Zoom as Alternative to In- person Purposive Communication Classes

The whole world responded to the need of continuing learning through a safer modality at the onset of the COVID19 pandemic. New and existing online platforms became in-demand to bear the bulk of lessons, teaching, and student engagement. One of the existing online platforms that were favorably used by higher institutions was Zoom. This study investigates on students’ perceptions on Zoom as a possible replacement for face-to-face modality for Purposive Communication (PURPCOM) class in the years ahead even after the ebb of the COVID19 pandemic. A total of 104 college students participated in an online Likert scale survey. Students’ responses regarding the advantages and disadvantages of using Zoom in PURPCOM class were thematically analyzed. The results indicated that an average of 49%-80% of students had a positive perception on using Zoom in their PURPCOM class in terms of their feelings, impact on learning, impact on interaction, and the capacity of Zoom to replace the in-person PURPCOM class. An average of 6% -19% disagreed on using Zoom over in-person class, and the top disadvantage of Zoom is the issue of poor internet connection. It is recommended that the survey be given to additional number of respondents in order to get a more accurate data on students’ perceptions in using Zoom as a replacement for the in-person PURPCOM class in future academic terms.